Lush green forests, meandering rivers, large waterfronts, cascading waterfalls, the gentle gurgle of streams, the distant hills, a gorgeous kaleidoscope of flora and fauna…yes, it is the serene and sylvan land of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, nature at her best. Sandwiched between the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, it is located in the western corner of India. As a union territory, it is quite small, confined as it is to an area less than 500 sq. km, covered with tall, awesome trees and winding rivers.

Location: Geographically, the Union Territory is located between the hills of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea coast but is entirely landlocked, even though the coast is nearby. Daman Ganga River flows through the town of Dadra and the capital Silvassa lie on the north bank of the river. These territories were under Portuguese rule till 1954, when they were amalgamated into the Indian Union.

The region is mainly rural except Silvassa, which has become a part of the large Vapi-Daman-Silvassa industrial area. Tribals constitute a majority of the population and Dhodia, Kokna and Varli are the main tribes. Access is easy as the area is close to the Mumbai-Delhi National Highway.

Forty percent of the area is reserved forest. Hirwa Van at Piparia on the Silvassa-Dadra road is a beautiful garden with waterfalls. Vanganga Lake and the island garden in the lake at Dadra is a prime location for song-sequences in Hindi films. The Vanvihar Tourist Complex in Khanvel, 20 km from Silvassa, has a Deer Park and a cactus house. At Brindaban on Sakartod River is Tadkeshwar temple. At Dudhni on the Damanganga River there is a water sports complex.

Best time to visit: Dadra and Nagar Haveli enjoys a pleasant climate from November to March. Even the summer temperature is not very high. Due to its proximity to the sea, the nights are pleasant.

History: This quiet, magical land of 72 villages has a chequered history. For a century and half, the fiery Portuguese were the masters of the land. The Indian nationalist volunteers liberated Dadra and Nagar Haveli in July 1954 and a pro-India administration was formed. Under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, the territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli became a centrally administered union territory with effect from August 11, 1961.

Tourist Attractions: The Tribal Cultural Museum at Silvassa is an ideal place for those who are too lazy to do some actual exploring. It houses a good collection of masks, musical apparatus, fishing gadgets and life-size statues.

Khanvel is situated at a distance of 20 km from Silvassa. The drive to Khanvel is lined with tall trees on both sides of the road. This serene landscape, surrounded by lush green hills, beckons nature lovers with its rolling meadows and native-styled cottages amidst terraced gardens. The calm and gentle Sakartod River flows past Khanvel.

The Vanganga Lake and Island Garden is a beautiful lake garden situated at a distance of 5 km from the capital city of Silvassa. The rustic wooden bridges, the flowers, jogging paths, thatched huts, and paddleboats-all constitute an ideal ambiance for the honeymooners.

A 20-km drive from Khanvel is Dudhni where the large waterfront of river Damanganga provides breathtaking view of the water spread over Madhuban Dam. The luxurious tents pitched right near the bank provide a countryside experience. Tourists may also cook their own meals near the camp.

On Silvassa-Dadra Road is Hirwa Van, a beautiful garden with roaring waterfalls, misty cascades, rustic stonewalls, twin arches, tiny kiosks and springy lawns interspersed with islands of flowers-truly a visitors delight.

Vandhara Udyan at Silvassa is a riverside park with sprawling lawns dotted with exquisite pavilions, an ideal site for picnic buffs. There is also a Mini Zoo and Bal Udyan at Silvassa. The colorful birds, mischievous monkeys, awesome pythons and sleepy crocodiles coupled with swings, slides and merry-go-rounds render this site every kid's dream come true.

Itineraries: There really isn't any order of things that you can do. If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway, Silvassa is the place for you. You can be holed up in any one of the many resorts in Silvassa and surrounding areas, but you only let yourself loose in the lush green sights of the surrounding flora and fauna. Try out the local cuisine of Desi Chicken, wadapaav and bhel puri at Dadra Gardens. They would definitely leave you wanting for more.

How to reach
By Rail - The nearest railhead is Vapi at a distance of 17 km from the capital city. Silvassa is about 180 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Surat via the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway 8.

Where to stay
One can stay in rustic, well-appointed cottages with all modern comforts or in specially laid out riverside tents. The tourists may enjoy the delicacies of local cuisine in a variety of restaurants and hotels.

They offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Dadra and Nagar haveli.